Frame assembly for a temporary structure and method of assembly

Abstract

A frame assembly for use in a temporary structure includes two compression members, two tension members, a roof support assembly, a restraint member, and a plurality of tension rods. A first end of each compression member is attached to the roof support assembly. Each tension member is attached a lower portion of one of the compression members and to a distal end of the roof support assembly, and the restraint member is connected between a second end of each of the two compression members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A frame assembly for use in a temporary structure comprising:
 two compression members;   two tension members;   a roof support assembly in a first position wherein the roof support assembly is flat;   a restraint member; and   a plurality of tension rods;   wherein a first end of each compression member is attached to the roof support assembly;   wherein each tension member is attached a lower portion of one of the compression members and to a distal end of the roof support assembly; and   wherein the restraint member is connected between a second end of each of the two compression members, such that when the restraint member is connected, the second ends of the compression members are pulled together, thus bending the roof support assembly into a second, arcuate shape.   
     
     
         2 . The frame assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the roof support assembly includes three roof support members, bound together, and extending between and beyond each of the two compression members. 
     
     
         3 . The frame assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the compression members are attached to the roof support assembly with a plurality of straps. 
     
     
         4 . The frame assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein a first end of each tension member is attached to the roof support assembly with a plurality of the straps. 
     
     
         5 . The frame assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein a second end of each tension member is attached to each compression member with a plurality of the straps. 
     
     
         6 . The frame assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of tension rods includes two first pairs of tension rods and two second pairs of tension rods; and
 wherein one of the two first pairs of tension rods extends between a mid- point of each compression member and the first end of each tension member.   
     
     
         7 . The frame assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein a first end of each of the two first pairs of tension rods is attached to the straps that connect each tension member to the roof support assembly, and a second end of each of the two first pairs of tension rods is attached to a strap mounted at the mid-point of each compression member. 
     
     
         8 . The frame assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the two second pairs of tension rods extend between the first ends of the compression members on opposite sides thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The frame assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein a first end of a first rod of each of the two second pairs of tension rods is attached to one of the straps that connects each compression member to the roof support assembly, and a second end of the first rod of each of the two second pairs of tension rods is attached to a strap mounted to the compression member adjacent to the first end of a second rod of each of the two second pairs of tension rods. 
     
     
         10 . A method of assembling a frame assembly for use in a temporary structure, the method comprising:
 attaching two compression members to a roof support assembly with a plurality of straps, wherein the roof support assembly is in a first position wherein the roof support assembly is flat;   attaching a first end of each of a pair of tension members to the roof support assembly with a plurality of the straps;   attaching a second end of each of the pair of tension members to each compression member with a plurality of the straps;   attaching a first pair of tension rods between a mid-point of each compression member and each tension member;   attaching two second pairs of the tension rods between first ends of the compression members on opposite sides thereof;   pulling distal ends of the compression members together, thus bending the roof support assembly into a second, arcuate shape, compressing the compression members, and applying tension to the tension members; and   attaching a restraint member between second ends of each of the two compression members, thereby defining the frame assembly.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the first end of each of the first pair of the tension rods is attached to the straps that connect each tension member to the roof support assembly, and the second end of each of the first pair of the tension rods is attached to a strap mounted at the mid-point of each compression member. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the two second pairs of the tension rods extend between first ends of the compression members on opposite sides thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the first end of a first rod of each of the two second pairs of tension rods is attached to one of the straps that connects each compression member to the roof support assembly, and a second end of the first rod of each of the two second pairs of tension rods is attached to a strap mounted to the compression member adjacent to the first end of a second rod of each of the two second pairs of tension rods. 
     
     
         14 . A temporary structure comprising:
 a plurality of frame assemblies including:
 two compression members; 
 two tension members; 
 a roof support assembly in a first position wherein the roof support assembly is flat; 
 a restraint member; 
 two first pairs of tension rods; and 
 two second pairs of tension rods; 
 wherein a first end of each compression member is attached to the roof support assembly; 
 wherein each tension member is attached a lower portion of one of the compression members and to a distal end of the roof support assembly; and 
 wherein the restraint member is connected between a second end of each of the two compression members, such that when the restraint member is connected, the second ends of the compression members are pulled together, thus bending the roof support assembly into a second, arcuate shape; and 
 two third pairs of tension rods; 
 wherein each of the plurality of frame assemblies is connected to an adjacent one the plurality of frame assemblies with the two third pairs of tension rods. 
   
     
     
         15 . The temporary structure according to  claim 14 , wherein a first end of a first rod of each third pair of tension rods is connected to a first end of each compression member of a first frame assembly;
 wherein a second end of the first rod of each third pair of tension rods is connected to a second end of each compression member of a second frame assembly, adjacent the first frame assembly;   wherein a first end of a second rod of each third pair of tension rods is connected to a second end of each compression member of the first frame assembly; and   wherein a second end of the second rod of each third pair of tension rods is connected to a first end of each compression member of the second frame assembly, adjacent the first frame assembly.   
     
     
         16 . A method of assembling a temporary structure, the method comprising:
 attaching two compression members to a roof support assembly with a plurality of straps, wherein the roof support assembly is in a first position wherein the roof support assembly is flat;   attaching a first end of each of a pair of tension members to the roof support assembly with a plurality of the straps;   attaching a second end of each of the pair of tension members to each compression member with a plurality of the straps;   attaching a first pair of tension rods between a mid-point of each compression member and each tension member;   attaching two second pairs of the tension rods between first ends of the compression members on opposite sides thereof;   pulling distal ends of the compression members together, thus bending the roof support assembly into a second, arcuate shape, compressing the compression members, and applying tension to the tension members;   attaching a restraint member between second ends of each of the two compression members, thereby defining a frame assembly; and   attaching adjacent ones of a plurality of the frame assemblies together with two third pairs of the tension rods.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein a first end of a first rod of each third pair of tension rods is connected to a first end of each compression member of a first frame assembly;
 wherein a second end of the first rod of each third pair of tension rods is connected to a second end of each compression member of a second frame assembly, adjacent the first frame assembly;   wherein a first end of a second rod of each third pair of tension rods is connected to a second end of each compression member of the first frame assembly; and   wherein a second end of the second rod of each third pair of tension rods is connected to a first end of each compression member of the second frame assembly, adjacent the first frame assembly.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further including attaching a roof to the roof support assemblies of each frame assembly.